The ultimate spring break guide

It’s March, which means that spring break is right around the corner! I know it doesn’t look like spring in the Northeast, but at least we can all look forward to a week of no classes or homework. Some of you may be going somewhere warm and exotic while others may be planning on a staycation. Not everyone can go somewhere exotic for spring break; sometimes there is no choice but to stay close to home, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy yourself anyway. After everything you’ve endured during the first half of the semester and having to take mid-term exams, you all deserve the break! This is a guide of 15 ways for those of you who are staying close to home to enjoy your staycation.

Relax! Relaxing while on spring break doesn’t have to be expensive. There are some simple ways you can unwind while on break and they’re all under $5. One way you can relax on break is to buy a magazine and read it. Doing some mindless pleasure reading will help you and your brain relax instead of focusing all your time on academic reading. Another way you can relax while on break is to visit a small coffee shop or bakery and buy yourself a little treat, like a cup of coffee and a homemade muffin. Who doesn’t love fresh coffee and homemade baked goods? And with this winter weather, just imagine how good a warm muffin and hot coffee will be. A third way to relax on break is to go to the mall and sit in one of those massage chairs. For a couple of dollars, you can get your back massaged and feel completely relaxed.

Volunteer! Want to do something good while you’re on spring break? How about volunteering? You don’t have to travel far to do something good. No matter how small or large your community is you can find some kind of organization or volunteer project to devote some of your time. You can even volunteer on campus or with a local religious organization, if that is your interest.

Road Trip! You can go on a spring break road trip without going too far from home. With a little bit of research, you can find all sorts of cool stuff to see in your own state. How about traveling to go to a museum or to see a theater performance you haven’t been too before? How about going to see the weirdest thing your state has? Visiting www.roadsideamerica.com is a great place to start to plan your in-state road trip. Don’t forget to take a camera!

Get in Shape! Use the vacation time to get active. Go to your local YMCA or a local gym; run on a treadmill for a little while with your favorite songs playing on your iPod or go swimming in the pool. Being active will boost your endorphin levels and put you in a good mood.

Have a Get-together! What college student doesn’t love a good party? Spring break is the perfect time to get together with friends you haven’t seen in a while. Invite your friends over to watch that big sports game or to just hang out and play some video games, and make it a pot luck where everyone can bring their favorite foods to share.

Get Organized! Use the week to get yourself organized. Do laundry, clean off that desk you never use and put it to good use, wash your bedding, sweep your floors, buy a planner for when classes resume and use it, color-code your class materials. Getting organized and cleaning your space can put your mind at ease so you can enjoy the rest of your break.

Create Something! You don’t have to be an artist to create art. Print out some of your favorite photos in black-and-white and frame them, paint something with watercolors, frame dried flowers, or use washi tape (Etsy.com and Amazon.com are great places to shop for washi tape) to decorate almost anything you can think of.

Have a Scavenger Hunt! Gather some of your friends to wander around your hometown for a day and have a scavenger hunt. Make a list of things everyone has to find, tell everyone to bring a camera so they can take a picture of the item on the list for proof, and break up into teams. Make sure to have some little prizes to give out to the winners. Although a bit childish, this will be a fun way to hang out with your friends and get a little competitive.

Go Shopping! What’s a better way to enjoy your spring break than to go out and do a bit of shopping? Pick up some new tee-shirts or a bright pair of leggings to wear when the temperature warms up. Going to school once classes resume in a new outfit is sure to boost your mood.

Have a Movie Night! Everyone loves going to the movies, but it gets to be expensive. Save some money by having at movie night with friends at your place. Have everyone bring their favorite movie and a favorite movie theater candy to share, make popcorn, turn off the lights, and enjoy the movies!

Catch Up on Sleep! Classes can be rough this time of year, and with the end of the semester right around the corner and homework piling up, you’re going to need your rest because you won’t be getting much of it during the remainder of the semester. Take advantage of the fact that you’re on break to get a bit of shut-eye. Sleep in until noon or take an afternoon nap without any guilt!

Pamper Yourself! On spring break, it’s important to relax and to make sure you feel your best for when classes resume. One way you can feel relaxed is to pamper yourself. Give yourself an at-home facial or go to a salon and get a manicure and pedicure. You can feel relaxed and you can get clear skin. Guys, this one is for you too; you don’t have to be a girl to take care of your skin, hands, and feet.

Get Your Game On! While home for spring break, you can go see your local sports team play a game. You don’t have to go to every high school basketball game or track meet to support your local team; many places have their own AHL hockey teams and other minor league teams. Seeing minor league games can be just as exciting as seeing major league games but without the ridiculous ticket and concessions prices.

Bake something! Not everyone can cook, but nearly everyone can follow directions and bake something. Cookies, cakes, cupcakes, cheesecakes, bars, and more are all simple to make and the ingredients are inexpensive. You can bake for your friends, family, or for yourself. Be sure to enjoy the treats in moderation though.

Go on a Date! Have a significant other you haven’t seen in a while or have you just met someone new? Go on a date! Going out for dinner and doing a fun activity like bowling, miniature golf, or seeing a movie together is fun whether you’ve been with your boyfriend/girlfriend for a while or if you’re just starting to get to know one another. Each date and each activity is a way for you to get to know that special someone better and maybe kindle, or rekindle, a spark.

These are only a few ways that you and your friends can have fun on your spring break without spending a lot of money and without traveling far from home. Be sure to make the most of your spring break and to enjoy every minute of it. Relaxing for a while can help you focus once classes resume for the remainder of the semester.